Unit Task for Lifeskills Media Unit:
Exposing the Realities of Advertisements
When companies advertise, they always want to promote a certain cultural value or way of thinking. For example, think of Nike’s Just Do It slogan, or McDonald’s I’m Lovin’it! However, we need to ask ourselves what the reality behind the marketing is. In this project, you will research one of the companies mentioned below and create your own ad to depict the company realistically.
Here’s what to do:
1. Choose a company from the list below and search the internet for advertisements of that company. Take note of how the product is being advertised: what are the slogans the company uses; how is the product represented; what values are being promoted?
2. Next, read the article that is linked to the company on this wiki. It will show the other side of the coin, highlighting the realities of the company. Feel free to do some research on your own to expand your knowledge.
3. Create an ad using Paint (under Accessories in the Start menu) to display the true nature of the company. Refer to AdBusters for ideas.
4. Compare your ad to an ad the company has made and take note of the differences. With this information, you will create a short movie that outlines how the company represents itself and how you represented it in your ad.
5. Using Audacity, record your voice to describe the project.
How does the company represent itself?
What value system does it generally promote in its advertisements?
What is wrong with this picture? What is the company leaving out? What are the realities of the company?
Describe your ad: what does it represent and how does it do so?
What can we, as consumers, do to help solve these global issues?
6. Ad any music or background sounds you might like (Note: your podcast should be between 30 seconds and 1 minute)
7. Import your Audacity recording into Movie Maker and link it with the images you would like to show (export the audacity project as an MP3).
8. Add any credits or titles you would like, as well as video effects. 9. Post your movie on the wiki.
Exposing the Realities of Advertisements
When companies advertise, they always want to promote a certain cultural value or way of thinking. For example, think of Nike’s Just Do It slogan, or McDonald’s I’m Lovin’it! However, we need to ask ourselves what the reality behind the marketing is. In this project, you will research one of the companies mentioned below and create your own ad to depict the company realistically.
Here’s what to do:
1. Choose a company from the list below and search the internet for advertisements of that company. Take note of how the product is being advertised: what are the slogans the company uses; how is the product represented; what values are being promoted?
2. Next, read the article that is linked to the company on this wiki. It will show the other side of the coin, highlighting the realities of the company. Feel free to do some research on your own to expand your knowledge.
3. Create an ad using Paint (under Accessories in the Start menu) to display the true nature of the company. Refer to AdBusters for ideas.
4. Compare your ad to an ad the company has made and take note of the differences. With this information, you will create a short movie that outlines how the company represents itself and how you represented it in your ad.
5. Using Audacity, record your voice to describe the project.
- How does the company represent itself?
- What value system does it generally promote in its advertisements?
- What is wrong with this picture? What is the company leaving out? What are the realities of the company?
- Describe your ad: what does it represent and how does it do so?
- What can we, as consumers, do to help solve these global issues?
6. Ad any music or background sounds you might like (Note: your podcast should be between 30 seconds and 1 minute)7. Import your Audacity recording into Movie Maker and link it with the images you would like to show (export the audacity project as an MP3).
8. Add any credits or titles you would like, as well as video effects.
9. Post your movie on the wiki.
Companies to choose from:
- Nestle (Alex): http://www.brandrepublic.com/news/492454/nestle-faces-negative-publicity-child-labour-case-set-hearing/
- Apple (Mel) (Sibel): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/7330986/Apple-admits-using-child-labour.html
- Wal-Mart (Sage) (Jess): http://ihscslnews.org/view_article.php?id=68
- Adidas (Kyra): http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2000/nov/19/jasonburke.theobserver
- Toys R Us (Skylah): http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FXS/is_1_79/ai_59175663/
- Nike (Braden) http://www1.american.edu/TED/nike.htm
Here is your Rubric which outlines how you will be marked: